PHOTO
Dubai - HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has launched the Sirb (Arabic for fleet) initiative at the DEWA 2021 strategy workshop, held at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Dubai. The move supports the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to develop the drone industry to serve humanity. It also establishes Dubai's position as a global hub for innovation and creativity and make it the happiest city on earth, which provides the most efficient and seamless experience and is the safest place for residents and visitors.
The initiative uses drone technology to support Dubai's infrastructure, and aids smart technologies in serving Dubai's residents. DEWA is making a significant improvement to government services by adopting innovative ways for government to effectively communicate with its customers. The UAE is one of the first countries in the world to use drones to provide government services.
"DEWA today launches the Sirb initiative to provide seamless and easy-to-use services according to the highest international standards, to make society happier. The move supports the National Innovation Strategy, launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make the UAE one of the most innovative countries in the world within seven years. DEWA works to improve government performance in all fields. This is why DEWA has a comprehensive strategy to implement creative ideas and suggestions to achieve the UAE Vision 2021 and the Dubai Plan 2021 to make Dubai a smart and sustainable city," said Al Tayer.
"The Sirb initiative is aligned to the directives of our wise leadership to harness different technologies. We have instructed everyone in DEWA to make plans to implement this initiative. DEWA introduced the Creativity Lab experience in its strategy workshop 2014-2018. Work teams were formed to discuss opportunities for improvement and come up with creative solutions," he added.
"DEWA adopts the Creativity Lab as a standard practice and uses it as a key input in its strategic planning. We are guided by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who has driven excellence and continuous creativity in every way, especially government work. DEWA has adopted a comprehensive strategy to incubate and implement creative ideas and suggestions and research programmes in renewable energy and water. We are also committed to implementing the best studies and research in all our operations and services to establish our leading position and achieve our vision to become a sustainable world class utility," added Al Tayer.
"This initiative will greatly improve our operational efficiency by accelerating operations, increasing safety during regular network testing and maintenance, and accurately detecting failures. It will also help in monitoring generation, in field surveys for new projects, and in new connections for buildings and facilities in Dubai. This will enhance the trust of our customers in DEWA's services and improve organisational competitiveness in terms of financial savings. The drones provide early detection by using thermal imaging for overhead power lines. This limits risks and reduces costs, enables a quick response and is very accurate, making it easier to make informed decisions. The drones use state-of-the-art upgradable technologies such as high-definition cameras that are equipped with night-vision and laser technologies, GPS sensors, and can measure pressure, height, magnetic fields, and use ultrasound scanning," concluded Al Tayer.
DEWA is also looking into expanding the scope of its drone use. In addition to locating equipment, DEWA is experimenting with technology to detect overhead line insulator failures that can cause power outages.
In addition to these uses, drones can monitor contractors and employees while extending power cables, and detect and search for covered or invisible sub-stations. They can also monitor distribution station buildings, power-station chimneys, locate malfunctions or give directions to a protective or security agency. Other uses include disseminating information about out-of-service sites for maintenance or to force power cuts, monitor smart devices in some stations for fire detection and monitor and control car parking for customers and staff.
-Ends-
For more information, please contact:
Ribal Dayekh/Noora Khoory
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
+9714 515 1784
ribal.dayekh@dewa.gov.ae
noora.khoory@dewa.gov.ae
Mutasem Shadid/Mazen Alebrahem
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
+9714 450 7675/450 7613
mutasem.shadid@bm.com
Mazen.Alebrahem@bm.com
© Press Release 2015
